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Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced late on Sunday that Samsung will manufacture the car maker’s next-generation AI chip at its upcoming Texas semiconductor plant as part of a deal worth $16.5 billion, in a significant boost for Samsung’s struggling chipmaking arm.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced that Samsung will manufacture Tesla's next-generation AI chips.
In a post on X, Musk announced that “Samsung’s giant new Texas fab will be dedicated to making Tesla’s next-generation AI6 chip,” adding: “The strategic importance of this is hard to overstate.”
In a regulatory filing made in South Korea shortly before Musk’s announcement, the electronics giant announced it had secured a $16.5 billion contract with a “large global company.”
The multi-year deal will run through till the end of 2033, and Samsung’s semiconductor fabrication plant in Taylor, Texas, is scheduled to begin operations in 2026.
In a follow-up post, Musk said Samsung has agreed to “allow Tesla to assist in maximizing manufacturing efficiency,” but he didn’t specify whether this meant Tesla would assist in bringing the plant into operation.
Musk pointed out the Samsung fab “is conveniently located not far from my house” and claimed he would walk the production line “personally to accelerate the pace of progress.”
Musk pointed out that Samsung currently manufactures Tesla’s AI4 chip. The billionaire said his company has completed the design for the AI5 chip, which will be manufactured by TSMC, Samsung's primary chipmaking rival. According to Musk, the AI5 chips will be first manufactured in Taiwan and then later at TSMC’s Arizona plant.
Shortly after the announcement, Samsung Electronics’ Seoul-traded shares surged 6.22% to $50.6 (KRW 70,000).